Buoyant jacket



E. G. BAKER BUOYANT JACKET July 19, 1966 Filed April 14, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

5 pan? 6. amen FITTOEM EYS July 19, 1966 E. G. BAKER 3,261,042

BUOYANT JACKET Filed April 14, 1964 Q I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR- JM M X M nT'roNsYs case he is thrown against an'object.

United States Patent 3,261,042 BUOYANT JACKET Edgar G. Baker, Carbondale, Pa., assignor to Gentex Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 14, 1964, Ser. No. 359,703 9 Claims. (Cl. 9-342) My invention relates to a buoyant jacket and more particularly to an improved buoyant jacket which is safe and comfortable.

There are known in the prior art various forms of life jackets and other buoyant articles adapted to assist the wearer in supporting himself when in the water. The outstanding requirement for such equipment is, of course, safety. Most swimming aids and life preservers known in the prior art are adequate for assisting the user in remaining afloat. However, where a person is engaged in active and potentially dangerous water sports such, for example, as water skiing and speedboat racing life preservers and the like of the prior art are not satisfactory. For example, the danger exists that the user may be unconscious when in the water. In this event, he should be supported face up with his face out of the water if the prime requirement of safety is to be met. Buoyant devices of the prior art do not effectively accomplish this result. This is particularly true of those devices which are adjustably closed over the front of the wearers body as by straps and cinches which interfere with buoyancy relationships when adjusted.

A secondary, though important consideration for a buoyant device [for use by a person engaged in strenuous activities on the water is that he be permitted freedom of movement consistent with the safety requirement discussed above. This requires a good fit as well as at least limited adjustability. Buoyant articles of the prior art which will adequately support a person in the water generally are bulky and cumbersome. Moreover, as is pointed out above, where adjustable front closures are provided they not only do not properly position the wearer but, as a matter of fact, may throw him face down in the water.

A further desideratum for an article of wearing apparel intended to accomplish this purpose is that it protect vulnerable parts of the wearers body against injury in Subsidiary requirements of equipment of this nature are comfort and convenience in putting the article on and removing it.

I have invented a buoyant jacket which accomplishes all of the above desirable results. My jacket is so constructed that it ensures that the wearer will float face up with his face out of the water. It permits great freedom of movement. My jacket protects vital parts of the wearer's body against injury. It is comfortable and is readily adjusted without deleteriously disturbing its buoyancy distribution. My jacket can be donned and removed rapidly and expeditiously.

One object of my invention is to provide a buoyant jacket which will support the wearer face up with his face out of the water.

Another object of my invention is to provide a buoyant jacket permitting great freedom of movement.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a buoyant jacket which protects vital parts of the wearers body against injury.

A further object of my invention is to provide a buoyant jacket which can be adjusted without deleteriously disturbing the buoyancy distribution of the jacket.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a buoyant jacket which can readily be donned and removed.

Other and further objects of my invention will appear from the following description.

Patented July 19, 1966 In general my invention contemplates the provision of a buoyant jacket comprising left and right sections of buoyant material joined by a hinge at the top of the back of the sections and provided with adjusting means at the back of the wearers waist. A nonadjustable releasable closure at the front of the jacket permits the jacket to be readily donned and removed without disturbing the rear adjustment. The buoyancy distribution of my jacket is such that the wearer is always supported face up with his face out of the water.

In the accompanying drawings which form part of the instant specification and which are to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation of my buoyant jacket.

FIGURE 2 is a rear elevation of my buoyant jacket.

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of one of the molded sections of my buoyant jacket before assembly.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the front of one of the buoyant sections of my buoyant jacket.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the rear of one of the buoyant sections of my buoyant jacket.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of my buoyant jacket taken along the line 6-6 of FIGURE 1 and drawn on an enlarged scale.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of the back hinge of my buoyant jacket taken along the line 77 of FIGURE 2 and drawn on an enlarged scale.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of the adjusting means of my buoyant jacket taken along the line 8-8 of FIGURE 2 and drawn on an enlarged scale.

In constructing my buoyant jacket, I first mold the respective right section 10 and the left section 12 of the jacket from a suitable foamed plastic material. In molding a section such, for example, as the section 10 shown in FIGURE 3, I place a charge of plastic material such as polyvinyl chloride, together with a predetermined percentage of a suitable blowing agent in a mold having precisely the shape of the finished section but being on a smaller scale by predetermined percentage of the size of the finished article. When the charge has been placed in the mold, it is heated under a relatively high pressure for a time depending upon the thickness of the part from about a half an hour to an hour. When the heating operation is completed, the mold is cooled to room temperature and the part is removed. I then place the molded part in an oven at about 220 F. or above for about onehalf hour to one hour depending upon the size and shape of the section. After this treatment, the section 10 has expanded fully to size. Since the molding technique itself is known in the prior art, I will not describe it in greater detail.

Having formed the two sections 10 and 12 in the manner described above, I next assemble the elements which'are employed to hold the sections together to complete the jacket. Referring now to FIGURES 1, 4 and 6 and considering the front of the right section 10 I take a length 14 of a suitable material such, for example, as nylon webbing. I next cut two pieces 16 and 18 of fabric to the shape shown in FIGURE 4. I stitch the tape 20 of a zipper half 22 between the fabric pieces 16 and 18 by a line of stitching 24. When this has been done, I stitch the two pieces 16 and 18 carrying the zipper part 22 to the length of webbing 14 by areas of stitching 26 and 28. In a similar manner, I secure the tape 30 of the complementary zipper half 32 to two pieces of fabric 34 and 36 and secure the fabric pieces 34 and 36 to a length of webbing 38 by stitching 40. While I have not shown the pieces 34 and 36 in detail, it will readily be appreciated that they are shaped and secured to length 38 like pieces 16 and 18.

Referring now to FIGURES 2, and 8, I take a first length 42 of a suitable material such as nylon webbing and secure a fabric piece 44 to the webbing by stitching 45 as shown in FIGURE 5. I fold another fabric piece 46 over the edge of the piece 44 remote from webbing 42 and sandwich a relatively heavy reinforcing strip 48 of nylon webbing into the fold. Stitching 50 secures the folded portion of the piece 46, the reinforcing strip 48 and the edge of the piece 44 together. It will be appreciated that in forming the fold in the piece 46, I provide respective flaps 52 and 54 extending outwardly from the fold.

For the other section 12 of my jacket, I take a length '56 of webbing and secure a piece 58 of fabric similar to the piece 44 to the webbing by stitching 60. I fold a piece 62 of fabric over the edge of the piece 58 remote from webbing 56, sandwich a reinforcing strip 64 in the fold and secure the fold, the reinforcing strip 64 and the edge of strip 58 together by stitching 66. The fold in the piece 62 forms a pair of flaps 68 and 78.

Referring now to FIGURES 2, 5 and 7, the hinge, indicated generally by the reference character 72, of my jacket includes a central strip 74 of fabric, outboard strips 76 and 78 and a reinforcing strip 80 of nylon webbing sandwiched between piece 78 and piece 74. I secure the central portions of the pieces 74, 76 and 78 and. the strip 80 together by stitching 82. In the course of this operation, I provide flaps 84 and 86 in the piece 76 and flaps 88 and 90 in the piece 78 as well as laterally extending portions 92 and 94 in the piece 74.

In the description thus far given, I have shown the manner in which I mold the two sections 18 and 12 and have described the way in which I provide the webbing lengths 14, 38, 42 and 56 with means for joining the sections together and have also outlined. the construction of the hinge 72. Having accomplished all these operations, I slit the edges of the molded sections wherein the attaching means are to be disposed. These areas comprise all the edges of the molded sec-tions including the risers such as the risers 96 and 98 of the section 10.

Having performed the above operations, I then proceed to complete the two sections. For example, considering the section 10, I coat the inside surfaces of the slit portions and the surfaces of the webbing lengths 14 and 42 with a suitable adhesive such, for example, as an adhesive having a synthetic rubber base dissolved in methyl ethyl ketone, which adhesive forms an insoluble bond upon drying. I place the Webbing length 14 in the slit at the front of the section 10 with the length extending upwardly into the slit riser 96. I place the length 42 within the slit at the rear of the section 10 with the length 42 extending upwardly into the riser 98. These operations having been accomplished, I close the section, save for the loose ends formed by the slit risers 96 and 98 and the area to which the hinge 72 is to be applied. Next, I stitch the upper ends of the lengths 14 and 42 by stitching 100 and then cement the loose foam ends of the risers 96 and 98 together.

In the course of performing the above opera-tions, I fold the outboard edges of the pieces 16 and 18 back as flaps 102 and 104 and cement these flaps to the outside surface of the section 10 to expose the zipper part 22. At the same time, I cement the flaps 52 and 54 back onto the body of the section 10.

I next perform the operations of securing the tapes 38 and 56 within the slits of the section 12 in the same manner as that described above in connection with the section 18. It will readily be appreciated that the last operation I perform is that of joining the backs of the two sections by the hinge 72. In achieving this operation, I cement the extensions 94 and 74 in the slits in sections 10 and 12 adjacent the upper back parts thereof. Flaps 84 and 88 are cemented to the outside surface of section 12 while flaps 86 and 90 are secured to the outside surface of section 10.

When all the operations described above are complete, I coat the jacket with a vinyl solution as by dipping it or the like. After the coating operation, I apply a plurality of grommets 106 to the folds of the lengths 46 and 62 at spaced locations therealong. It will be appreciated that the grommets 106 pass through the reinforcing strips 48 and 64. A drawstring 108 laced through the grommets 106 permits the jacket to be adjusted to provide a comfortable fit.

It is to be noted that in molding each of the sections 10 and 12, I form respective recessed areas 110 and 112 in each of the sections. These areas have their principal extent at the rear of the jacket. Owing in part to these recessed areas, my jacket is so constructed that its buoyancy distribution approaches the ideal ratio'of 70% in the front and 30% in the rear. The recesses 110 and 112 contribute flexibility for comfort and freedom of movement. I leave enough material to protect the vital parts such as the ribs and kidneys of the wearers body. I fair the sections 10 and 12 from bottom to top so as to be somewhat thicker in the upper chest area to achieve the correct buoyancy characteristic. Extensions 114 on the portions of all of the pieces 44, 58, 74 and 94 disposed within the slits of the sections 10 and 12 assist in preventing tearing of the framed material at the points of attachment.

The manner in which I construct my safety buoyant jacket will readily be apparent from the description hereinabove. I first mold a pair of flat sections such as the sections 10 and 12 generally in the shape shown in FIG- URE 3. When this has been done, -I assemble the fabric pieces 16 and 18 with the zipper part 22. Then I assemble the fabric pieces 34 and 36 with the zipper part 32 in a similar manner. I secure the respective assemblies to the webbing 14 and to the webbing 38. Next, I take the fabric piece 44 and fold the other piece 46 over the edge of the piece 44 with the reinforcing strip 48' in the fold. I secure the piece 44 to the length of webbing 42. In a similar manner, I assemble piece 58, piece 62 and insert 64 and secure the assembly to the webbing 56. When these operations are complete, I slit the molded sections, coat the insides of the slits with adhesive and assemble the webbing lengths 14, 38, 42 and 56 in the slits. I then stitch corresponding ends of the strips together to complete the two jacket sections. This having been done, I assemble the hinge 72 at the upper back of the jacket in the manner described. Eyelets 106 and drawstring 188 are assembled onto the jacket.

In use of my safety buoyant jacket, the wearer dons the jacket by putting his arms through the holes formed in the respective sections 10 and 12. He then zips up the front and adjusts drawstring 108 until a comfortable fit is achieved. Once this adjustment has been made for an individual, the jacket may be put on and taken off without disturbing the adjustment. Moreover, owing to the fact that the adjustment is at the back, I ensure that there is sufiicient buoyant material in the front of the jacket always to cause the wearer to float face up with his face out of the water in the event he falls into the water. Recesses 110 and 112 afford flexibility for freedom of movement and for comfort.

It will be seen that I have accomplished the objects of my invention. I have provided a safety buoyant jacket which ensures that the wearer will float face up with his face out of the water. My jacket protects vital parts of the wearers body against injury. It is corn-fortable and affords great freedom of movement. I may adjust my jacket without deleteriously disturbing the buoyancy relationship which causes the wearer to float in the proper orientation. My jacket can be donned and removed with case.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of my claims. It is further obvious that various changes may be made in details within the scope of my claims without departing from the spirit of my invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that my invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A buoyant jacket including in combination respective right-hand and left-hand sections of buoyant material, each of said sections comprising a front portion and upper and lower back portions, a hinge of flexible sheet material secured between said upper back portions, adjustable means independent of said hinge connecting said lower back portions and readily releasable fastening means connecting said front portions.

2. A buoyant jacket including in combination respective right-hand and left-hand sections of buoyant material, each of said sections comprising a front portion and upper and lower back portions, a hinge of flexible sheet material secured between said upper back portions, means comprising a drawstring adjustably connecting said lower back portions independently of said hinge and a slide fastener connecting said front portions.

3. In a buoyant jacket a body of buoyant material forming a side of said jacket, said body having a front edge, a slit in said body along said front edge, a tape disposed in said slit, a pair of lengths of sheet material secured to said tape and extending out of said slit to form flaps, means for adhering said tape and the portions of said lengths within said slit in position therein, said flaps being folded back on said body, means for adhering said flaps to said body, and a securing element attached to said material lengths.

4. In a buoyant jacket a body of buoyant material forming a side of said jacket, said body having an edge, a slit in said body extending along said edge, a tape disposed in said slit, a pair of lengths of sheet material secured to said tape, said material lengths extending out of said slit to form flaps, means for adhering said tape and the portions of said lengths within said slit in position therein, said flaps being folded back-on said body, means for adhering said flaps to said body, and a fastening element secured to said material lengths.

5. In a buoyant jacket a body of buoyant material forming a side of said jacket, said body having an edge, a slit in said body extending along said edge, a tape disposed in said slit, a first piece of material secured to said tape within said slit and extending out of said slit, means for adhering said tape and the portion of said piece within said slit in position therein, means comprising a second piece of material sandwiched with the portion of said first piece extending out of said slit to form external flaps,

means for adhering said flaps to the outer surface of said body and a fastener receptacle secured in said sandwiched pieces outside said slit.

6. In a buoyant vest a pair of bodies of buoyant material, each of said bodies having an edge, said edges facing each other, slits in said edges, a sandwich comprising three pieces of sheet material, the central piece having outer portions disposed in said slits and having an intermediate portion, means for securing intermediate portions Otf said outer pieces to said central piece intermediate portion to form flaps of outer portions of said outer pieces, means for adhering the outer portions of said central pieces in said slits and means for adhering the outer portions of said outer pieces to the outer surfaces of said body, said sandwich forming a hinge.

7. In a buoyant jacket, a normally fiat unitary body of flexible buoyant material having generally vertically extending late'ral edges, the upper ends of said edges formed with shoulder portions, respective slits in said body along said edges and in said portions and a length of tape secured in said slits for holding said shoulder portions together to define a shoulder and back and front portions of one side of said jacket.

8. In a buoyant vest a pair of bodies of buoyant material, each of said bodies having an edge, said edges facing each other, slits in said edges, a piece of sheet material having outer portions disposed in said slits and having a central portion extending between said edges to form a hinge, flaps of sheet material, means for securing said flaps to said central portion and means for securing said flaps to the outer surface of said bodies.

9. In a buoyant vest a pair of bodies of buoyant material, each of said bodies having an edge, said edges facing each other, slits in said edges, pieces of sheet material disposed in said slits and having portions extending beyond said edges, respective fastener elements on' said pieces of sheet material, flaps of sheet material, means for securing said flaps to said sheet material pieces and means for securing said flaps to the outer surface of said bodies.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 920,246 5/ 1909 Bartholomew 9400 X 1,200,171 10/ 1916 C orrigan 9-342 1,931,406 10/1933 Denton 9--399 X 2,226,564 12/ 1940 Kienitz 9342 2,338,535 1/1944 Pfieumer 9342 X 2,842,785 7/ 1958 Sieverts 9-342 X 3,137,015 6/ 1964 Lindeman 9-340 MILTON BUCHLER, Primary Examiner.

ALFRED E. CORRIGAN, Examiner. 

9. IN A BUOYANT VEST A PAIR OF BODIES OF BUOYANT MATERIAL, EACH OF SAID BODIES HAVING AN EDGE, SAID EDGES FACING EACH OTHER, SLITS IN SAID EDGES, PIECES OF SHEET MATERIAL DISPOSED IN SAID SLITS AND HAVING PORTIONS EXTENDING BEYOND SAID EDGES, RESPECTIVE FASTENER ELEMENTS ON SAID PIECES OF SHEET MATERIAL, FLAPS OF SHEET MATERIAL, MEANS FOR 